Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan to reunite for Thalaivar 173; neither Lokesh Kanagaraj nor Nelson to direct film, release date is…

Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan

The two Tamil superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan will reunite after 46 years since the release of Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum in 1979, the last film in which they acted together. On Wednesday, Kamal officially announced the project on his social media handle by sharing photos with Rajinikanth and a handwritten note announcing the film’s release date and director. Contrary to popular speculation, the director is not Lokesh Kanagaraj or Nelson Dilipkumar.

Veteran filmmaker-actor Sundar C, who has directed notable films in the last three decades like Arunachalam, Anbe Sivam, Kalakalappu and four films in the comedy horror series Aranmanai, will direct the Rajinikanth starrer, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173. Kamal Haasan will produce the film under the banner Raaj Kamal Films International.

The Vikram actor wrote, “Like the wind, like the rain, like the river. Let’s take a shower, let’s have fun, let’s live! Superstar Rajinikanth will be starring in the movie directed by Sundar C and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International #Thalaivar173 #Pongal2027.” The makers are planning to release the film during Pongal festivities in January 2027.

The note shared by Rajinikanth reads: “Superstar Rajinikanth will headline Kamal Haasan’s magnum opus #Thalaivar173, directed by Sundar C, under the banner RaajKamal Films International. This landmark collaboration not only unites the powerful forces of Hindi cinema, but also celebrates five decades of friendship and brotherhood between Superstar Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, a bond that continues to inspire artists and audiences across generations.”

“Commemorating 44 years of Raajkamal Films International, #Thalaivar173 combines Superstar Rajinikanth’s magnetic screen presence with Sundar C’s direction in a landmark production conceived by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran. #Thalaivar173 is scheduled for a major theatrical release on Pongal 2027 through Red Giant Movies.”

காற்றாய8
That’s right!

See more தயாரிப்பில8 See more நடிக்கும் #Thalaivar173 #Pongal2027 @rajinikanth#SundarC#Mahendran@RKFI @turmericmediaTM pic.twitter.com/wBT5OAG4Au

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) November 5, 2025

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth’s next film will be Jailer 2, the sequel to the blockbuster Jailer, in 2023. Directed by Nelson, the action comedy will also feature Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, Ramya Krishnan, SJ Suryah and Yogi Babu. Kamal Haasan’s next film, tentatively titled KH 237, will be directed by action choreographers Anbariv (twin brothers Anbumani and Arivumani) in their directorial debut.

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